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IntroductionFactors that have an effect on the rate of sustained virological response (SVR) in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients include: genotype of hepatitis C virus (HCV); level of HCV RNA replication and rate of its reduction in the course of treatment; original hepatic fibrosis level; genotype of Interleukin‐28B (especially for Genotype 1 HCV – G1); daily ribavirin (RBV) dose. This study evaluated the effect of the HIV infection‐related factors on the SVR rate in HCV treatment in patients with concurrent infection (HIV/HCV).MethodsThe follow‐up included 232 HIV/HCV‐infected patients. Ninety‐nine of 232 patients with HIV/HCV‐infection received antiretroviral therapy (ART) for at least three months before the initiation of the CHC treatment. Before the HCV therapy, the median of CD4+cells was 406/mm3 (with ART) and 507/mm3 (without ART). Patients received HCV treatment with pegylated interferon (PEG‐IFN) and RBV (1000/12,000 mg/day) during 24–48 weeks.ResultsSVR was received in 50% of patients with G1 HCV, and 80.1% of patients with Genotypes 2/3 (G2/3; p<0.0001). The SVR rate in the group of patients without ART was reliably higher, 74.4% (with ART – 58.6%; p=0.0053). No significant differences in the SVR rate (62.3% and 69.6%, accordingly) were detected after the differentiation of patients based on the initial absolute values of CD4+cells count (<350 cells/mm3 and >350 cells/mm3). In 127 patients with the HIV/HCV‐infection, the percentage of CD4+cells before the CHC treatment was >25% and more (Group 1 [Gr. 1]), and in 105 patients ≤25% (Group 2 [Gr. 2]). The SVR rate for Gr. 1 patient was 74.6%, and for Gr. 2 patients –58.1% (p=0.0023). The SVR rate in patients with G1 HCV was 56.8% (Gr. 1) and 44.2% (Gr. 2; p=0.1095), whereas the rate for G2 and 3 was 85.5% and 71.7%, accordingly (p=0.0242). Forty patients in Gr. 1 and 59 patients in Gr. 2 received ART. The comparison of the SVR rate for these patients showed no significant differences: 60% and 57.6%, accordingly. SVR rate in the patients without ART demonstrated that for Gr.1 patients (CD4+>25%) was reliably higher, 82.8% (compared to Gr.2 with 58.7%; p=0.0012).ConclusionsAlong with factors related to HCV and the patient, the SVR rate in the HCV treatment with PEG‐IFN and RBV may be affected in patients with the concurrent infection by the use of ART and original relative content of CD4+cells. The maximum SVR rate was achieved in the patients without ART and with the CD4+cells >25% (baseline). When indicted, it is reasonable to provide HCV treatment to HIV‐infected patients as long as the percentage of CD4+cells remains high and there is no need of ART.